Will they succeed dramatically where other musicals haven’t? A Neil Diamond musical is in development and that team has its eyes on Broadway. Tina, a musical that tells the life story of Tina Turner is currently playing in London and opens on Broadway in November. Every frame celebrates that wonderful sense of discovery when you find that musical artist who speaks to you. I’m thrilled that a film was made using his music, but the film’s point is bigger than Bruce. The joy in Blinded by the Light is not exclusively that it is Bruce Springsteen’s music. Nell Williams, Aaron Phagura and Viveik Kalra in “Blinded by the Light” Drive All Night did not move forward after that workshop. While that might have been interesting for fans, I doubt (sight unseen) that it would work as well as this movie. Drive All Night was a sung-through musical without dialogue. I wonder if Blinded by the Light will become a stage musical. There was a musical based on Springsteen’s music that had a workshop in New York in 2002.
The show, written by Conor McPherson ( The Seafarer, The Weir, Shining City), appears to accomplish what other shows haven’t. Girl from the North Country, which garnered great reviews when it played at the Public Theatre, is opening on Broadway in March. One upcoming musical appears to have put the story first. ( We Will Rock You, utilizing Queen’s music, was even more bloated and unbelievable.) Not that there’s anything wrong with having fun, but upon even the slightest examination I believe you’ll realize the Abba emperors aren’t wearing any clothes.
Play blinded by the light how to#
(Can you imagine figuring out how to use “Hot Stuff” in a narrative?)ĭoes anyone really buy the storyline in Mamma Mia? Sure the songs are fun and the end-of-show concert leaves you feeling as if you saw a version of Abba. Because what little book there was didn’t come first. The show was absolutely dreadful in spite of three very talented women (La Chanze, Ariana DeBose and Storm Lever) giving their all in service of a flimsy book. Viveik Kalra & Nell Williams in “Blinded by the Light”Ĭontrast that with Summer which I saw at the La Jolla Playhouse before it moved to Broadway. Whether it is “Dancing in the Dark,” “Born to Run,” “Jungleland” or “Thunder Road,” each song genuinely serves the narrative. She not only carefully selects the songs, she wisely considers the most appropriate part of each song to be used. Every song Chadha has chosen to put into the film was picked for its ability to move that story along. The film was inspired by Sarfraz Manzoor’s memoir, Greetings from Bury Park. Hearing those songs inspires Javed to pursue his dreams, much to the dismay of his parents. When he meets someone at school, or rather literally bumps into him, he is exposed to Springsteen’s music. His parents have very traditional beliefs, but he wants to be his own man find his own love and most importantly, be a writer. Viveik Kalra in “Blinded by the Light” (Photo by Nick Wall)īlinded by the Light tells the story of Javed (Viveik Kalra), a young Pakistani man living in Luton, England with his parents and his sister. I also happen to be a life-long Springsteen fan.
Play blinded by the light movie#
I’m writing this because I truly love this movie and in particular the way Bruce Springsteen’s songs are woven into the narrative of the film.
However, no one asked me to write this on behalf of the film.
Play blinded by the light full#
In the interest of full disclosure, I was hired to work on the film after its acquisition at the Sundance Film Festival. So I encourage Broadway musical producers to take a look at what Gurinder Chadha has done with the film Blinded by the Light. They try to fashion a story around the songs instead of letting the songs enhance the story. Summer, the Donna Summer musical, closed on Broadway after running for only 288 performances. What many jukebox musicals fail to do (including the inexplicably popular Mamma Mia!) is put the story first and the songs second. This weekend The Cher Show closes on Broadway after playing only 295 performances.